Chapter 12, Problem 103E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Description of ceramics, cement and glass must be given.

Concept Introduction:

CERAMICS

• Ceramics are non-metallic inorganic solids that are used in structural applications.
• It is based on oxide, nitride, boride or carbide.
• They are hard but brittle.
• They have low electrical and thermal conductivity.
• They are chemically inert that is they do not react with most liquids, solids, gases, alkalis and acids.
• They are used in making strong, hard and abrasion resistant substances.
• Most common raw material used in making ceramics is clay.

CEMENT

• It is a binder.
• It is a finely powdered mixture of calcium silicates and aluminates.
• A substance which if mixed with water sets and adheres to other materials and binds them together.
• Made by grinding together a mixture of limestone and clay.
• Used commonly as a building material
• When cement is mixed with water the reaction that occurs is known as hydration. Hydration results in setting and hardening of cement.

GLASS

• A class of ceramics
• Is an amorphous solid material.
• It is made up of silica.
• It is similar in properties to ceramics like durability, strength, electrical conductivity and chemical inertness.
• Very rigid at room temperature but have irregular arrangement of constituent particle in crystal lattice.
• Have ability to flow very slowly and so is also called super-cooled liquid.